Interchangeable Footwear Assembly with Removable Attachments

ABSTRACT

Footwear, such as a sandal or shoe, and other articles having an attachment mechanism that is useful in attaching replaceable and interchangeable ornaments such as gems, jewels or other decorative ornaments and attachments. The footwear upper portion is easily changed out, but can incorporate various replaceable lacing strips and ornamental beads to enhance the beauty of the footwear, thereby making a lasting impression on users, especially to males.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present application discloses footwear, such as a sandal or shoe, and other articles having an attachment mechanism that is useful in attaching replaceable and interchangeable ornaments such as gems, jewels or other decorative ornaments and accessories. More so, the present invention relates generally to an article of footwear, and more particularly to an article of footwear with a detachable skin for the vamp region of the shoe or sandal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Articles of footwear have been provided with decorative coverings that allow a wearer to change the appearance of the shoe or the sandal. Typically, these coverings fit over portions of the shoe or sandal. A wearer may change the coverings to alter the visual appearance of the article.

A variety of styles of these sandals are being worn, and ornaments are occasionally attached to the sandals as permanent decorations. However, durability, ease-of-use, and compatibility with a wider range of clothings and occasions are limiting factors for systems for interchangeably attaching decorative ornaments to existing sandals and other articles.

Several prior footwear items have attempted upgrading the beauty index of footwear.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,244,814 B2 titled, “Modular shoe with interchangeable components and method of attachment” talks of a modular shoe assembly having a removable heel band. This allows a user to customize the shoe in limitless ways, as the heel bands can have any variety of colors, patterns, prints, embossments, or other ornamental decorations such as beads or pearls. The shoe assembly may be a sandal, ballet shoe, loafer, boot, or similar design.

US20130312286A1 titled, “Shoe with interchangeable and detachable upper” discusses a shoe assembly that includes a main portion, a sole, and a detachable upper. The main portion includes an opening for a foot and a top portion having a first engagement feature thereon. The sole is coupled to bottom edges of the top portion. The detachable upper has a top side and an underside, at least a portion of the underside of the detachable upper having a second engagement feature thereon, the second engagement feature being configured to engage with the first engagement feature. The detachable upper covers substantially all of the top portion of the main portion.

CA2479386A1 titled, “Interchangeable footwear system” is an interchangeable footwear system comprising a shoe assembly including: (a) a base shoe; (b) interchangeable covers, in which any one of a plurality of said covers are adapted to allow fitting to said base shoe forming an assembly so as to change the appearance and use environment of said shoe assembly.

WO2008050369A1 titled, “Shoe with removable interchangeable semiupper” relates to a shoe characterized by a front semi upper (1,10) fitted to the outsole (5) that incorporates fixing means (Ia) designed to be firmly engaged with corresponding means (3a) provided on the front of the removable semi upper (3, 30, 300, 130, 130a, 130b) that occupies the central part of the shoe.

Whereas, in all the related prior footwear improvements, removable aspects of different parts of the footwear are changed out to enhance primarily the beauty of the footwear but such efforts are only limited to change of the upper portion and heel shapes. The present invention induces not only a change of the upper portion but incorporates it with various replaceable lacing strips and ornamental beads to enhance the beauty of the footwear, thereby making a lasting impression on the user, especially males.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention provides an article of footwear, comprising: an upper, including a lacing area disposed on a lateral side and a medial side of the upper; a sole structure; a vamp part (also described as the first layer of the vamp) and a detachable vamp including a first edge disposed at a first longitudinal end of the vamp member, a second edge disposed at a second longitudinal end of the vamp member wherein the detachable vamp member is removably attached to the skin of the vamp part of the shoe or sandal on each of the lateral side and the medial side.

In another aspect, the invention provides a replaceable lace for use with an article of footwear, comprising: a first edge disposed at a first longitudinal end of the vamp member; a second edge disposed at a second longitudinal end of the vamp member; and wherein the lace is adapted to be removably attached to a skin of the vamp of the footwear.

In another aspect of the present invention, the lace can be also used with the article of footwear, as a second layer, on top of the first interchangeable vamp member. In the event that the lace is to be attached to a boot, it could be attached with two fastening means to the backstay of the shoe vertically and with a wrap around at the front of the boot.

In further aspects of the present invention, the detachable vamp layer may use materials including but not limited to cotton, leather, neoprene, beads made of plastic or glass, wooden beads, metal charms etc.

In still another aspect of the invention, an illuminating footwear accessory may be coupled to the vamp, to the tongue of the shoe or to the lateral and medial sides of the shoe or sandal. The illuminating footwear accessory may include, for example, an LED. According to another embodiment, the illumination source may include an LED, fibre optic, electroluminescence material, or any other illuminating or light emitting material.

Yet in another aspect of the invention, the illuminating footwear accessory or the LED may be directly embedded with the skin of the footwear in the vamp region or on the lateral and medial sides of the shoe or the sandal.

In another aspect of the present invention, the light fixture may be affixed on the outsole and/or upper of the shoe. The light fixtures can be embedded in the sandal detachable vamp member or over the surface of the detachable vamp affixed with closure means.

The invention also relates to attachable/detachable illuminating footwear articles. The light source may also be affixed to laces and/or Velcro (hook-loop) and/or other closure methods.

In still another aspect of the present invention, the attachment can be a logo recessed into the material with an illumination on the logo. The illumination may be an LED light fixed along with the logo or any other illumination method.

In further aspect of the invention, the lights can be embedded in the detachable vamp member of the assembly with a layer of chosen materials which is then cut out. The lights can also be embedded within a wire framework in the detachable vamp member. The wire mesh or the wire framework incorporates a rechargeable battery or a button battery with an on and off switch.

In a still further aspect of the invention, means may be provided for carrying hiking/or other shoes easily, without bothering to pack them up. The means may be a pocket provided near the upper end of the vamp which holds a loop ring stitched inside with a cord, the end of the cord is provided with a magnet. When the cord is pulled free from the pocket they can be used to fasten the ropes with the meat tab provided at the collar of the shoe or near the toe of the shoe or simply with the sandal sole. Thus, when the sandal pocket is opened, the user can pull out cord and fasten it to the other shoe or sandal and then the user can put the shoe or sandal over his shoulder to carry them.

In a still further aspect of the invention, the fastening or closure means in the present invention includes but is not limited to Velcro which may be stitched or glued, magnets, drilled or glued to the shoe or sandal, two or three metal or plastic boat snaps fastened to the sides of the shoe or sandal and buckle snaps for holding the first layer with the second layer.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an article of footwear having a sandal configuration and provides with a replaceable vamp portion having fastening means in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an article of footwear having a shoe configuration and provides with a replaceable vamp portion having fastening means in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 3 Illustrates an article of footwear having an alternative sandal configuration and provides with a replaceable vamp portion having fastening means in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 4 Illustrates an article of footwear having an alternative sandal configuration and provides with two replaceable skin having fastening means in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 5 Illustrates an article of footwear having an alternative sandal configuration and provides with a replaceable vamp portion having fastening means in accordance with aspects of the present invention

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   100 shoe     -   10 First Velcro Position     -   12 third Velcro position     -   12′ fourth Velcro position     -   14 Vamp portion     -   14′ Detachable vamp     -   16 Toe region     -   18 Sole region     -   20 Collar region     -   22 upper region     -   24 magnets     -   26 medial side     -   28 lateral side     -   30 first edge     -   32 second edge     -   34 first longitudinal end     -   36 second longitudinal end     -   38 back stay     -   40 strap

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

It will be understood that vamp region 14, toe region 16 and sole region 18 are only intended for purposes of description and are not intended to demarcate precise regions of article 100, but rather, to describe relative positions. Likewise, medial side 26 and lateral side 28 are intended to represent generally two sides of an article, rather than precisely demarcating article 100 into two halves.

In an embodiment of the invention, article of footwear, includes an upper region 22, including a lacing area disposed on a lateral side 28 and a medial side 26 of the upper region 24; a sole region 28; a vamp region 14 and a detachable vamp 14′ (also described as the first layer of the vamp) including a first edge 30 disposed at a first longitudinal end 34 of the vamp, a second edge 32 disposed at a second longitudinal 36 end of the vamp wherein the detachable vamp member 14′ is removably attached to the skin of the vamp region 14 of the sandal 100 on each of the lateral side 28 and the medial side 26.

Article 100 may include one or more provisions for altering the appearance of article 100. In some cases, one or more portions of article 100 may be changed to alter the appearance of article 100. In some embodiments of the invention, the article of footwear 100 includes a lace for use which comprises a first edge 30 disposed at a first longitudinal end 34 of the vamp member; a second edge 32 disposed at a second longitudinal end 36 of the vamp region 14′ and wherein the lace is adapted to be removably attached to the skin of the vamp 14 of footwear.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the lace can be also used with the article of footwear 100, as a second layer, on top of the first interchangeable vamp member 14′. In the event that the lace is to be attached to a boot, it could be attached with two fastening means to the backstay 38 of the shoe vertically and with a wrap around at the front of the boot.

Generally, the lace may comprise any material, including a material that includes, but is not limited to, leather, cotton, jute, hemp, or synthetic fibers.

Further, the detachable vamp layer may use materials including but not limited to cotton, leather, neoprene, beads made of plastic or glass, wooden beads or metal charms.

For fastening the detachable vamp member 14′, the vamp member 14′ may be configured to span the vamp region 14. Generally the vamp member 14′ may be disposed in various locations on the upper region 22 depending upon the design of the article of footwear as depicted in FIGS. 1, 3-5. In some embodiments, the detachable vamp member 14′ may be disposed between medial side 26 and lateral side 28 of upper region 22. In other embodiments, detachable vamp member 14′ may be disposed asymmetrically so that a portion of vamp member may be fastened covering a greater part vamp region continuing a little more towards the toe as in FIG. 5. In some exemplary embodiments the detachable vamp member can comprise more than one depending upon the design of the footwear article 100 as depicted in FIG. 4.

The article of footwear 100 may include one or more provisions for altering the appearance of article 100. In some embodiments an illuminating footwear accessory may be coupled to the vamp, to the tongue of the shoe or to the lateral 28 and medial sides 26 of the shoe or sandal. The illuminating footwear accessory may include, for example, an LED. In some other embodiments, the illumination source may include an LED, fibre optic, electroluminescence material, or any other illuminating or light emitting material.

Yet in another aspect of the invention, the illuminating footwear accessory or the LED may be directly embedded with the skin of the footwear in the vamp region or on the lateral and medial sides of the shoe or the sandal.

In another aspect of the present invention, the light fixture may be affixed on the outsole and/or upper of the shoe. The light fixtures can be embedded in the sandal detachable vamp 14′ or over the surface of the detachable vamp affixed with closure means.

The invention also relates to attachable/detachable illuminating footwear articles. In some embodiments, the light source may also be affixed to laces and/or Velcro and/or by other closure methods.

In some embodiments to alter the look of the footwear article 100 the additional attachment can be a logo recessed into the material with an illumination on the logo. The illumination may be an LED light fixed along with the logo or it can be any other illumination methods.

In some other embodiments, the lights can be embedded in the detachable vamp 14′ member of the assembly with a layer of chosen materials which is then cut out. The lights can also be embedded within a wire framework in the detachable vamp member. The wire mesh or the wire framework incorporates a rechargeable battery or a button battery with an on and off switch.

In some embodiments of the invention means may be provided for carrying the hiking/or other shoes easily, without bothering to pack them up. The means may be a pocket provided near the upper end of the vamp which holds a loop ring stitched inside with a cord, the end of the cord is provided with a magnet. Upon pulling the cords from the pocket, the cords become free, which can be used for fastening with the meat tab provided at the collar 20 of the shoe or near the toe of the shoe or simply with the sandal sole 18. Thus when the sandal pocket is opened, the user can pull out chord and fasten it to the other shoe or sandal which can be put over the user's shoulder to carry them.

The fastening or closure means in the present invention includes but is not limited to Velcro which may be stitched or glued, magnets, drilled or glued to the shoe or sandal, two or three metal or plastic boat snaps fastened to the sides of the shoe or sandal and buckle snaps for holding the first layer with the second layer. Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the velcros can be positioned in multiple places depending upon the design of the strap 40 of the sandal or the design of the vamp 14 of the shoe. Typically, for securing the detachable vamp 14′ to the skin of the strap of the sandal or shoe, Velcro or any attachment means has at least two positions first Velcro position 10 disposed on the lateral side 28 of the footwear article and a second Velcro position (not shown) disposed on the medial side 26 of footwear article. A third 12 or fourth positions 12′ for the attachment means may be devised depending upon the design of the strap 40.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and Scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

By way of example only, while different embodiments described above illustrate specific features, it is within the Scope of the present invention to combine or interchange different features among the various embodiments to create other variants. Any of the features in any of the embodiments can be combined or interchanged with any other features in any of the other embodiments. 

I claim:
 1. An interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear, with removable attachments, comprising: an upper, including a lacing area disposed on a lateral side of the upper and on a medial side of the upper, the upper having a skin on its lateral side and on its medial side; a sole structure; a vamp part with a first longitudinal end and second longitudinal end; and at least one detachable vamp attachment with a first edge and a second edge; wherein, the said detachable vamp attachment has its first edge disposed at the first longitudinal end of the vamp part, and its second edge disposed at the second longitudinal end of the vamp part; at least one fastening member; and wherein, the said detachable vamp attachment is removably attached to the skin of the vamp part on each of the lateral side and the medial side of the shoe upper.
 2. An interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear, wherein the article is a sandal.
 3. An interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear, comprising: an upper, including at least one strap, and a lacing area disposed on a lateral side and a medial side of the upper; a sole structure; at least one detachable strap attachment; at least one fastener; wherein, the said detachable strap attachment is removably attached to the skin of the at least one strap of the sandal on each of the lateral side and the medial side of the sandal.
 4. The interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear of claim 3, wherein the said detachable strap attachments are provided in number according to the number and design of the straps of the sandal.
 5. The interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear of claim 1, wherein a second detachable layer comprised of lace is removably attached on top of the detachable vamp attachment, and fastened with it by fastener or fasteners and comprising a first edge disposed at a first longitudinal end of the vamp member; and a second edge disposed at a second longitudinal end of the vamp member.
 6. The interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the detachable vamp layer is formed of materials including but not limited to cotton, leather, neoprene, beads made of plastic or glass, wooden beads and metal charms.
 7. The interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the at least one fastening member includes one or more of hook-and-loop fasteners, boat snaps and buckle snaps.
 8. The interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear of claim 1, the assembly further comprising an illuminating footwear accessory coupled to the vamp, and to one of a tongue and said lateral and medial sides.
 9. The interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear of claim 8, wherein the illuminating footwear accessory may include one or more of an LED, fibre optic and electro luminescence material.
 10. The interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising means attaching to a pair of said articles of footwear for carrying while walking or hiking said pair of said articles of footwear.
 11. The interchangeable assembly of an article of footwear of claim 10, wherein the said means includes a pocket provided near the upper end of the said vamp part in each of said pair of articles of footwear, the pocket holding a loop ring stitched inside with a cord having a magnet at the end thereof. 